vimiv
vimiv: A focused Linux photo viewer for keyboard-first browsing and lightweight editing. Ranked #26 of 33 in Photo Viewer Software by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows.
At a glance
- Editor score6.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Vim-like navigation with configurable keybindings
- Library browsing, thumbnails, slideshows, and basic editing
- Open source with optional EXIF viewing and preservation
Where it doesn't
- Linux is the only supported platform
- Editing tools are limited to basic image adjustments
- EXIF support is optional rather than part of every installation
Our verdict on vimiv
vimiv is a free, GPL-licensed desktop image viewer for Linux users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows. The maintained Qt port combines image library browsing, thumbnail mode, image viewing, slideshows, basic editing, and configurable keyboard controls. It also includes a command line with tab completion and supports stylesheet-based interface customization, giving keyboard-oriented users control over both navigation and presentation.
Its standout feature is the Vim-like interaction model. Users can navigate images with configurable keybindings, operate through command-line controls, browse a library, switch to thumbnails, and run slideshows without relying primarily on pointer-based controls. The feature set also reaches beyond simple viewing: basic editing is included, while optional EXIF support provides metadata viewing and preservation when writing images. This makes vimiv a focused tool for organizing and reviewing image collections rather than a broad photo-management suite.
vimiv is distributed through Linux repositories, pip, source installation, and GitHub releases. That range suits users who are comfortable choosing a Linux installation route and customizing a desktop application through stylesheets. The main boundary is platform scope: Linux is the supported environment, so users seeking a cross-platform viewer should choose an alternative. Its editing capabilities are intentionally basic, and EXIF functionality depends on optional support. Pick vimiv for fast, keyboard-centered browsing with library and thumbnail views; choose another product if advanced editing, broader platform coverage, or a more comprehensive photo workflow is the priority.
Your product? Our editors can test vimiv in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
vimiv pricing
vimiv fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Linux |
| RAW image support | Not verified |
| Side-by-side compare | Not verified |
| Contact sheets | Not verified |
| Color management | Not verified |
| Metadata viewer | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | karlch.github.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to vimiv
- XnView MPA format-rich desktop viewer with serious cataloging, metadata, and batch tools.9.3
- FastStone Image ViewerA free Windows viewer with RAW support, comparison, batch tools, editing, and scanning.9.1
- IrfanViewA practical Windows viewer for batch conversion, resizing, renaming, and RAW support.9.0
Used vimiv? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used vimiv for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
vimiv is listed in our Photo Viewer Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/vimiv/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/vimiv.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update